(UTV|COLOMBO) – With the series now won, New Zealand may rest Trent Boult and bring in Doug Bracewell in his place. Either of Tim Southee or Matt Henry could also make way to let Lockie Ferguson re-enter the XI.
Dasun Shanaka is the next to depart, trapped in front by Ish Sodhi after missing a sweep. Sri Lanka slip to 117 for 4. Over to the Pereras now – Kusal who scored a ton in the first ODI and Thisara in the second. Can they revive Sri Lanka’s chase?Quick wickets:Having been hit for a six in the 15th over, Neesham comes back well to dismiss Dickwella for 46 off 37. Looking to swing over cover, the batsman ends up giving Ferguson a catch at third-man. In the next over, Kusal Mendis is run out at the striker’s end, departing without facing a single ball. A touch and go decision but the third umpire felt Richard Illingworth feels the bat was on the line. Sri Lanka are 107 for 3.New Zealand finish with 364:A six for Nicholls, and a six and a four for Neesham in the 49th over leave Malinga with figures of 3 for 93. And to provide the finishing touches, Nicholls scores three fours and a six off Pradeep in the final over to help New Zealand finish with their second 350-plus total in this series. Nicholls remains unbeaten on 124 off 80, with 12 fours and 3 sixes.New Zealand (possible): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Colin Munro, 3 Kane Williamson (capt.), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 Tim Seifert (wk), 7 James Neesham, 8 Ish Sodhi, 9 Doug Bracewell, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Lockie Ferguson
Will Dasun Shanaka finally get a game ahead of one of the misfiring allrounders in the XI? Will Dinesh Chandimal’s role in top order be reassessed? Sri Lanka have several passengers in their XI, but seem reluctant to cut them loose.
Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Danushka Gunathilaka, 2 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 3 Kusal Perera, 4 Kusal Mendis, 5 Dinesh Chandimal, 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Lakshan Sandakan, 9 Lasith Malinga 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Nuwan Pradeep
Source : cricbuzz